Tuesday, 6 September 2016

Hola!!!!

A new page for a new season!I am sure you have heard by now but just in case........I am going back to Argentina!!!!! At the end of last year I completed the application process with Latin Link and got accepted to return on their Stay Programme. This is the long-term programme and I have signed up to go for at least 2 years.To make sure I go back as well equipped as possible, I will first complete a 10 week missions course at All Nations Christian College in Ware, Hertfordshire starting on 21st September and then hope to make it out to Argentina in January 2017.I will initially return to the city of Salta and get involved with some of the projects at Casa De Dios church whilst possibly also undertaking further theological and missions training.Here's a little reminder of some of the issues faced by families in the suburbs of Salta, what the church is doing to help and why I am going back to get involved ...Many women in the area are lone parents with large families to care for. Children are often left home alone as their mothers go out to work and go without meals as families cannot cover all the bills.Casa de Dios church started working in this area 8 years ago by opening a nursery providing free day care for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Around 20 children attend. They are given 2 meals a day, a safe environment to play in and a lot of love.From 2011-2013 I helped in the nursery-overcoming an initial shock at working with such little ones (and having to change nappies). Over the 2 years I developed a more stable routine for the nursery and worked on a curriculum providing monthly themes and daily activities for the children (one for the 0-2s class and one for the 3-4s class). This enables them to have the best start in education and hopefully will eventually have an effect on their engagement with and completion of primary and secondary education. (Currently 45% leave school with no qualifications!). As each child spends 2 years in each class I hope to work on completing another years worth of lessons to cover the whole time spent in the nursery.

To combat the hunger and malnutrition many children in the area face, the church also serves bread and milk or tea daily to 60-100 children. For some this is their only meal for the rest of the day following their lunch.

I hope to put the skills and experiences I have to good use in serving these children and families providing practical help alongside sharing with them the great news that there is a God who loves them. I believe that the best way to do this will be to serve with Latin Link and work full-time in the projects. To be able to do all this I need some help in 3 areas......1) Keeping in touch. Will you read my monthly blog and latest news and share in the adventure and also keep me up to date with how you're doing and all your adventures?2) Praying. Once again I am going out of my depth and feeling a mixture of excitement and terror! Will you pray that God will continue to guide me, provide for every need and use me to make a difference? 3) Giving. This is a self-funded venture and due to Argentina's current economic situation I need to raise £1,500 a month to cover accommodation, food, travel, insurance, health and daily costs. This seems a huge amount but already some wonderful churches and individuals have signed up to support me meaning that I have almost reached halfway and now need to raise £780 a month more. If you feel you would like to be part of my support team with a one off or regular gift and join in the adventure to Argentina please get in touch and I will send you more details or you can sign up through the Latin Link website using the link at the top of the post to the right--------->If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch...My email address is; joanne_la13@hotmail.comThank you for reading and for the encouragement you have already been on this journey. I look forward to hearing from you.God bless,Love, Jo.